Director Puts a Medal in his Pocket and is Dismissed

04/15/2014 - 09h12

Jorge Lima, the administrative and financial director of the Federação Bahiana de Futebol (Soccer Federation in Bahia), was fired last Sunday after putting in his pocket one of the medals of a State Medal ceremony in Bahia.

The director was exposed by the TV and the scene was spread out on the internet by soccer fans.

The scene is similar to the one that José Maria Marin, CBF president, took part during the Copa São Paulo, a junior soccer tournament final, in 2012. While he held this position, he kept one of Corinthians medals.

The goalkeeper Matheus did not receive his medal during the ceremony at Pacaembu stadium. At the time, Marin argued that it was a "courtesy" made by the Federação Paulista de Futebol (Soccer Federation in Sao Paulo).

This time, Marquinhos Santos, the Bahia coach was left without a medal. However, his assistant Marcelo Serrano gave him the medal he had received during the ceremony.

The Soccer Federation in Bahia released a note stating that "even though they trust the director's honour and integrity", the entity had dismissed him after seeing the images.

The president of the federation, Ednaldo Rodrigues Gomes, assured that, unlike Marin case in Sao Paulo, Lima did not justify his act.

"There is no explanation, right?", said Gomes, who had a quick conversation with Lima after seeing the images.

"He was speechless. It was a very rude attitude. There was nothing else to do but dismiss him", stated the president of the federation in Bahia.

Folha could not contact Lima.

Bahia won the state championship on Sunday, after a 2x2 draw at Vitória, at Pituaçu stadium.

As it already had a 2x0 victory over Fonte Nova, Marquinhos Santos team kept the title.

In the federation official celebration that happened yesterday other 20 medals would be awarded. The club has already requested other 20.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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Jorge Lima was fired last Sunday after putting in his pocket one of the medals of a State Medal ceremony in Bahia